Siphosethu Jaji

Receptionist

Siphosethu, known as Sethu, was born in Cape Town in 12th April 1991. She matriculated from Oscar Mpetha High School in 2008 and joined SAEP in 2010 as a Bridging Year Intern. Today she is still part of the SAEP Team as our receptionist. In 2012 Sethu wants to study Nursing or Music.

Patrick Collins

Financial Manager and Office Manager

Patrick Collins is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a B.S in Business Administration and graduated with Honors in Creative Writing. Before joining SAEP as a volunteer, he and his brother spent a year on the back of a municipal garbage truck in their home town of Marion, MA; in addition to running their own boat maintenance and landscaping service. As SAEP’s Financial and Office Manager, Patrick was responsible for all bookkeeping and budgeting, as well as maintaining the company’s vehicles, phone system, computer network, inventory, and office procedures. Patrick has recently returned to the United States to pursue future career endeavours and will be sorely missed by all the staff and volunteers at SAEP.

Katharina (Ina) Rindle

Volunteer

Ina is one of the new volunteers at SAEP. She comes from Germany and will work for SAEP for the next three months. In May of 2011, she finished the theoretical part of her studies to become a Primary School Teacher. One of her tasks at SAEP will be to teach English to the children at the Crèches.

Ina enjoys music, reading, hiking, hanging out with friends and exploring different countries and cultures. She is very happy to be in South Africa!

Danielle DeKock

Coordinator, Arts Outreach Programme

Danielle de Kock graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2006 with a degree in Fine Art and English. She has worked for SAEP since 2007 directing the Arts Programme, teaching art and English in the high schools and assisting with English teaching for the Bridging Year Programme.

Nokhaya Manxiwa (Nomsa) Nqeza

Principal of Qhamani Educare Centre and Representative of the Safety Unity Crèche Forum

Nokhaya Manxiwa Nqeza was born in the Eastern Cape as Nomsa Manxiwa before she got married to John Makhaza Nqeza. Nokhaya moved to Cape Town to further her secondary education and later went to adult learning. Nokhaya worked for various people as a domestic worker for more than 6 years.

In 1996, with the help of her mother, Nokhaya opened a crèche called Qhamani Educare Centre to serve local children. In 2003, she met Jane Keen and SAEP. Since then, all is history. Nokhaya can not even begin to describe the help she has received from SAEP ever since they started working together.

Nokhaya and SAEP celebrated the grand opening of her new building in April 2009. She is proud to now own and run the only double-storey ECD Centre ever built in Philippi township, all thanks to SAEP. Nokhaya has recently completed the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 4 and has registered to complete level 5 at North Link College in Parow. "I am a better person now, I see and tackle things from different perspectives thanks to SAEP and their continued motivation."

Blair Saunders

Volunteer

Blair Saunders is from McLean, Virginia and graduated in May of 2011 from the College of William and Mary with a BA in History with Honors. She has been volunteering at SAEP since September of 2011, working in both the Early Childhood Development and Media Departments. Blair enjoys meeting new people, traveling (she misses Florence where she spent a semester abroad, especially the pizza!), cooking, listening to live music and dancing (poorly).

In June of 2012 she will enroll at the University of Virginia, where she hopes to complete their Post Baccalaureate Pre Medical Program and be one step closer to medical school and becoming a Doctor!

James Bonner

Coordinator, Matric Success Programme

James was working on SAEP's High School and Bridging Year programmes, before moving to Sudan to pursue a new career. He was tutoring a number of the Bridging Year interns in maths in preparation for them re-writing their Matric exams. He was also working with Grade 9 learners at Zisukhanyo High School at the initial stages of the Hope Scholar's Programme.

James is originally from Lancashire, England. He has a Masters degree in Development Economics from Nottingham University. For 3 years, up until January 2009, he was working as an economist for the Scottish Government in Edinburgh. He took a career break to come out to South Africa to do voluntary work for SAEP for around 9 months.

Lindsey Witmer

Fundraising and Institutional Development

Lindsey Witmer graduated in 2008 with a BS in Public Health from the Deptartment of Environmental Science and Engineering at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Lindsey was recruited to work at SAEP as Norton's right hand - grant-writing and strategic-planning her tush off from September 2008 - November 2009. Lindsey also worked with Bongani in curriculum development and impact assessment for the Hope Scholars Programme, teaching a beautiful class of Grade 9 students in Samora Machel 3 days a week, and tutored and mentored former Bridging Year interns in between.

Lindsey is currently an Associate in the Youth Enterprise and Development Department at Making Cents International in Washington D.C.

Gemma Oberth

Fundraising and Institutional Development

Gemma Oberth graduated from York University in Toronto with an M.A. in Political Science in 2009 after completing her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto. With experience working for AMREF (African Medical and Research Foundation) in Kampala, Uganda, Gemma joined SAEP to provide support in fundraising, institutional development and communications. Gemma manages and updates SAEP's Twitter feed daily (check it out at www.twitter.com/SAEPcapetown), boosting our presence in the world of social media and networking for NGOs. She also enjoys helping with the Hope Scholars Programme's afterschool tutoring at Sophumelela High School in Philippi Township.

Jozefien Keppens

Programme Assistant, Early Childhood Development

Sara DuBreuil

Fundraising and Institutional Development

Sara DuBreuil graduated from the University of Ottawa in April 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts specialization in Communications and Global Studies. From Canada's east coast, Sara came to Cape Town to join SAEP's Fundraising and Institutional Development team from September until December 2009. At SAEP, she focused on communications and media related projects, such as media monitoring, public relations and policy research. Sara also enjoyed tutoring Hope Scholars' classes and spending time with young children at the crèches in Philippi and Samora Machel! Sara is moving to Ghana to work with young orphans in 2010.

Kelsi Ludvigsen

Programme Assistant, Early Childhood Development

Kelsi Ludvigsen is taking a break from her studies in the U.S. and joining SAEP's Early Childhood Development Programme for two months to assist with several of the crèches. Having had previous experience working in Early Childhood Development with a non-governmental organisation in Nairobi, Kenya, she hopes to deepen her understanding of this field, here in South Africa. She will be graduating from Santa Clara University in June 2010 with a B.S in Management and French. Apart from work and her studies, Kelsi enjoys travelling and running.

Elizabeth Bernold

Fundraising and Institutional Development

A 2009 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a BA in Economics and International Studies, Elizabeth arrived in Cape Town in September 2009.  An avid traveler, Elizabeth has now visited 6 of the 7 continents; her adventures have taken her most recently to South (and North) Korea, where she researched proposed North Korean economic liberalisation strategies.  Apart from exploring the globe, Elizabeth particularly enjoys Bounty chocolate, cooking, crafting, dancing and running. At SAEP, she spent her days writing funding applications, researching potential corporate investors, working to strengthen SAEP's institutional development, and as a part-time maths, chemistry and English tutor.

Sara Muhl

High School Academic Co-ordinator

Sara is currently completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Education at UCT so is part time this year. She has tutored Natural Science, Physical Science and English for the Hope Scholars as well as English for the Bridging Year programme she also ran the environment clubs in 2009 along with Tracey. In 2010 she was the academic co-odinator and also advised on the environment programme. This year she has been parttime due to her studies and has done some tutoring, NGO networking, managed volunteer queries and supported the SAEP staff where possible.
She was born and schooled in Cape Town and attended UCT and Stellenbosch universities. Sara has a master's in conservation ecology and is passionate about the environment and education.. An enthusiastic traveller, she has lived in Canada and the UK and been to many parts of Europe, especially with her bicycle! Sara has been mountain biking for ten years and has been part of the South African mountain bike team for three, achieving national colours for this sport. Creativity is also important to Sara and she has worked as a florist and even has a floristry qualification. She has also worked in the film industry as an environmental control officer for national park areas. She joined SAEP in January 2010 and is hoping to stick around for a long time.

Send Sara an email -- wanderingmuhl@gmail.com

Tracy Savanhu

Coordinator, Environmental Education

Tracy Savanhu is an Environmental Health major from the beautiful country of Zimbabwe who is working with SAEP to develop afterschool high school environmental club programs.  Tracy enjoys leading learners on excursions to explore the world outside of the townships.  Apart from afterschool environmental education, Tracy works with SAEP's Early Childhood Development program.  She especially loves new faces and places, camping, and finds Cape Town beaches "to die for!"  Tracy writes, "It's amazing how I just realised my dreams in a short space of time; I love being around young people and sharing my passion with them makes my day."

Katie Sue Zellner

Fundraising and Institutional Development

Katie Sue Zellner works on SAEP's fundraising efforts, including grant applications, holiday card sales, and events. During her time at SAEP, she has gained a new appreciation for the art of budget-making. Apart from writing grants, Katie Sue frequents the Hope Scholars programme as a tutor and substitute teacher. Outside of the office, her passions span recycling, English grammar, ballet, modern dance, Jane Austen novels, and spicy food. Katie Sue graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Public Policy. She is a native of Lynchburg, Virginia and an alumna of E.C. Glass High School and Central Virginia Governor's School for Science and Technology.

Jane Cullina

Fundraising and Institutional Development

Jane’s passionate love affair with Cape Town has been reignited this summer as she returned for much too short a time to the Mother City and the Mother of all NGOs. Jane worked as the Bridging Year Coordinator for SAEP in 2007 and part of 2008. This time around, she’s cleaning out the storage room, making powerpoints and providing the office with general assistance and affection. Jane is also writing her Masters thesis here, which will (hopefully) enable her to graduate from the Bank Street College of Education in May. Jane received her bachelors in English and French from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and will return to Maine in March to work at the Chewonki Foundation, an environmental education centre.

Gregory Mutumi

Environmental Coordinator

Gregory Mutumi is completing his Msc Zoology with the University of Cape Town. He did his Undergraduate studies (Bsc Honours Forestry and Wildlife Management) at the National University of Science and Technology of Zimbabwe, and also has a Diploma in Forestry from the Zimbabwe College of Forestry. Gregory was born in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe where he grew up with the love of nature. He enjoys the out door life, exploring the wild, learning more about what nature has and how people can benefit sustainably from it. Gregory will be coordinating the High School Environment Program and the World Cup Environment Festival. He hopes to be around for a long time.

Mahluli Sibanda

Arts Coordinator

Mahluli recently came onboard as the Arts Programme Coordinator and Co-Convener of the 2010 Philippi SAEP Arts and Environment Festival, working hand in hand with Sophia Rosochacki. He has an intense passion for community development. Coming from an Information Technology and Teaching background he joined SAEP as a Volunteer. He currently conducts workshops in Sophumelela High School where he teaches Grade 11 learners Basic Filmmaking. Mahluli is originally from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and is currently pursuing his Film degree.

Khangelani Mtyhalela

Manager, 2010 Arts and Environment World Cup Festival

Khangelani is a former SAEP Bridging Year intern who went on to pursue tertiary education with Century Film School (Introduction to Television Programme Making) and at the AFDA – Johannesburg campus (Bachelor of Arts in Motion Picture majoring in Producing). After completing his second year, he moved back to Cape Town to focus on setting up his multi-media enterprise, Mouthfull Entertainment.

In 2006 he produced the Ikapa Youth Film Festival in Association with the Cape Film Commission which took place in the month of June in three townships namely Philippi, Nyanga East and King Langalibalele Township well known as Kwa-Langa in Cape Town.

With passion for community development since the time bridging year at SAEP, Khangelani wrote articles for community newspaper entitled Indaba ZaseKhaya, and taught Film literacy and poetry in two township namely Zisukhanyo Senior Secondary School in Samora Maschel Township and also at Oscar Mpetha High School in Nyanga East. He also has a strong athletic background, and has participated at both a club level and school level in the Santos Professional Football Club Youth, the overall winner in the Greater Mitchell’s Plain District, and was a part of the Sinethemba Senior Secondary team that were both the Provincial and National Gold Medalists.

Amongst community projects Khangelani has coordinated inreach and outreach programmes for the following events: Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, American Film Institute Project 20/20. Khangelani is also a member of the following organisations: South African Writers Guilt, Artscape Resource Centre, Cape Film Commission, Cape Music Commission and other creative networks.

Currently Khangelani is post production his debut music documentary series entitled “20can” which is produced alongside the Mouthfull-Ngage joint Venture.

Ncedo Richard Tyembile

Administrative Assistant, Hope Scholars Programme

Richard Tyembile was born in a small beautiful village called Qamata in Eastern Cape. He came to Cape Town to complete his high school studies, in order to achieve a better education. Richard matriculated in 2004, and became an Intern with SAEP's Bridging Year Programme the following year. He graduated from the Bridging Year Programme in 2005 and began working in retail for two years. In 2007, he enrolled in False Bay College, West Lake and began studying towards his certificate in Safety in Society. Currently, Richard is working at SAEP in an administrative role for the Hope Scholar's Programme and performs other administrative duties around the office as needed.

Kanya Mdaka

Coordinator, Bridging Year Programme

Kanya Mdaka was born in Engcobo, in the (former) Transkei region of the Eastern Cape. He completed high school at St. Andrew's College in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. After matriculating, Kanya joined UCT (University of Cape Town) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science degree, majoring in Economics and Philosophy. Thereafter, he completed a postgraduate diploma in sport management, also at UCT. He is currently completing his Honours studies in African Philosophy, through UNISA (University of South Africa). During his studies, he coached a number of sporting codes at various schools around Cape Town including Rondebosch Prep, SACS, Herzlia and Monte Vista Primary. This was his introduction to the development of youth and volunteering at SAEP was the next step. This has led to his current post as the coordinator of the Bridging Year Programme at SAEP.

Send Kanya an email -- kanya.mdaka@gmail.com

Lizzy Jose

Academic Coordinator

Lizzy Jose joined the SAEP staff as the Acadamic Coordinator at the start of the 2011 school year. With a Master’s degree in Chemistry and a Higher Education Diploma, Lizzy began teaching in Kenya in 1975. Since then she has taught in Nigeria, Lesotho, and here in South African since 1987. Lizzy has also been a chief examiner, an internal moderator and has won an Excellence in Teaching award. Her students always excel in the sciences. She is working with the Hope Scholars as well as the Bridging Year Programme.

Indra Raj

2011 Arts Coordinator

Indra comes from Boulder, Colorado. She relocated to Cape Town in 2010 after studying English and Music at Oberlin College and working as an arts administrator at a music education non-profit in New York City. Indra's commitment to quality music and arts education for children brought her to SAEP as the Coordinator for the Arts Programme in 2011. Indra is also an avid musician and songwriter.

Laylaa Kariem

English Coordinator

Laylaa joined SAEP in 2009 as an English tutor for the Matric Success programme. Additionally, she started in mid 2009 to volunteer for the Bridging Year programme as a Language and Literature tutor and since then she is working with the Bridging Year Interns. For further support to SAEP, Laylaa became full time in May 2011 as the English Subject Coordinator for the HopeScholars programme.

Laylaa graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Social Science in Religion and Social Anthropology at UCT. She is applying for her Masters in 2012.

Currently, she is doing her Honours in Religion at UCT.

Veronika Ambrozy

Volunteer, Environment

Veronika comes from the Czech Republic, a small country in the heart of Europe. Next year she will finish her bachelor's degree in International Development Studies. For the last two years she has been working as a lecturer of Environmental education at the Centre for Ecological Activities in the city where she lives. She has also been a volunteer in several development NGOs in the Czech Republic, and has participated in many different projects concerning development issues.

Her role in SAEP's big family will be to teach children and young adults in the crèches and high schools about our environment. She will be volunteering at SAEP for the next three months.